Public Transport
Objective: Ride trains, buses and taxis with confidence.
Documents and essentials
- IC card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, etc.)
- Smartphone with a maps app (Google Maps, Navitime)
- Residence Card (for commuter pass registration)
What actually happens
- 1Get an IC card
Buy a Suica or Pasmo from any station machine — 500 yen deposit, then top up with cash. It works nationwide on trains, buses and convenience stores.
- 2Plan with a maps app
Google Maps and Navitime show platform numbers, transfer times and fares. Screenshot the plan before the underground kills your signal.
- 3Board and behave quietly
No phone calls on trains, priority seats for elderly or pregnant passengers, and stand on the left of the escalator (right in Osaka).
- 4Tap out at your destination
Always tap the IC card on the way out — otherwise the gate will beep and staff will need to reset the fare.
Say these when it matters
Register your IC card to your name so a lost card can be reissued with the remaining balance intact.
The last train (終電) is usually before 01:00 — check the schedule before a night out or plan for a taxi.
One quick question
What should you always do when leaving a train station?